Tel Aviv, Jan. 5 (Reuters): At least 15 people were killed and dozens hurt in Israel in two explosions apparently set off by suicide bombers in a crowded area of central Tel Aviv today, Israeli emergency services said.

It was the first such attack in about six weeks in Israel and came ahead of a January 28 general election for a new Prime Minister.

The emergency services said more than 50 people were hurt, nine of them seriously.

“Two explosions happened in parallel streets... it is a place where there are many foreign workers,” Yossi Sedbon, Tel Aviv police chief, told Israeli army radio.